Creating a Great Application - Letters of Recommendation
You’ve filled out your application, written your essay and reviewed everything over multiple times. The hard part is finished. Now you need someone to backup everything you’ve said by writing on your behalf. The letter of recommendation is written by someone who lends credibility to your statements by attesting to your strengths and using their reputation and signature to testify to your worth as an applicant. The letter of recommendation is very important to the scholarship selection committee because it is another point of view that gives even further insight into you, the student. There are a few things you should keep in mind when asking someone to write a letter of recommendation for you.
Choose Wisely – What kind of scholarship are you applying for? Is it based on academics or sports? Student leadership or community involvement? If the scholarship has an underlying trend accompanying it, be sure the person you ask to recommend you has some connection to that trend. If the scholarship is based on academic performance, ask a teacher or your headmaster to attest to your skills. If it is athletic, ask a coach or athletic department head. When choosing a person to write for you, keep in mind that this person will be writing on your behalf. You want someone who can write clearly and concisely and who can meet deadlines on time.
It’s Your Responsibility – Once you’ve decided who you’d like to ask to recommend you and have determined that person can write about you and your involvement in the discipline the scholarship is supporting, it’s time to ask for the letter of recommendation. Be sure you are prepared with all the information and materials your writer will need. Gather all documentation the scholarship requires and provide envelopes and stamps to the writer. It’s your responsibility to make sure all papers are sent in the proper form and manner to the scholarship committee. Do not expect your writer to have access to such information or to note every little required detail.
Check In – Give your writer plenty of time to finish the letter. Remember that this person may also be writing letters for other students. Keep in mind, too, that your writer is taking personal time to write for you. He or she is not getting paid and is writing on your behalf because he or she genuinely wants to help and wants to see you succeed. Try and give your writer several weeks or even months to complete the letter. Not only can you be assured your letter will be well written with the extra time, you can also be assured of not missing the deadline or rushing to finish applications at the last moment. If you’ve given your writer plenty of time, check in with them occasionally to see how the letter is coming and to see if they need any more information or documentation.
Express Your Gratitude – After your writer has completed and mailed your letter, don’t forget your manners. This person has taken time to write for you and you should take the time to express your gratitude through a thank you card or note. Keep your writer apprised of your scholarship status. After spending all that time and energy writing for you, your recommender will likely be interested in how you do and whether you receive the scholarship. This person’s letter could very well contribute to your receipt of thousands of dollars towards education costs, let them know how much you appreciate it!